Book excerpt: Families, teachers, and therapists who are searching for information about how to use technology to help individuals who struggle with communication, literacy, and learning will benefit from the wealth of practical, well-organized information in The Ultimate Guide to Assistive Technology in Special Education. The book presents a broad overview of the uses of assistive technology before helping readers zero in on powerful, cutting-edge technology tools they can use to improve students' areas of weakness as well as to compensate for them. Readers are introduced to an exciting world in which assistive technology, educational technology, and mainstream technology are merging. The book focuses on software, tools, devices, and online resources that can help students with everyday tasks such as speaking, understanding, reading, writing, cognition, and memory. Along the way, readers will discover new ways to use everyday items such as mainstream software, cell phones, and calendars to assist students with special needs.